# Lehre und Wehre_St. Louis Missouri_Juli 1859_S217
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

Prayer and Speech by Laymen in Public Devotional Meetings Is, etc. 217

consequence of a call and command, to preach the Word and administer
the Sacraments in the public assembly of the congregation.

Thesis 4.

This office is not a merely human institution, but was instituted by
the Lord for all times.

Thesis 5.

It is the Lord who calls and installs individuals into this service.

Thesis 6.

In the ordinary way, it is through this office that the Lord wills to
work faith and to bestow spiritual gifts, and we should not expect to
receive these in some other way if we pass over or despise the personal
office, even though we could have it.

Note. While the Lord has bound us to this order, he himself is not
bound to it; rather he can, if he wills, also work the same thing outside
this order or beyond it. But this does not entitle us to despise his wise
order and to expect something extraordinary.

Thesis 7.

Men are therefore to be directed to the use of this office, and whoever
despises it or its bearer despises the Lord.

Thesis 8.

For the administration of this office the Lord now calls, not
immediately, but mediately, through the election and appointment of
men, in which God's call then comes to light. Without such an external
call no one may publicly teach or [lead in public] prayer.

Thesis 9.

An inward call is not enough; an outward call must also be present
with it. For this to be a proper one, such that God may acknowledge it as
his own, it must take place as far as possible according to the practice
given as a model in Scripture.

To this belongs, a) that a community not act without necessity
according to its own judgment, but seek that counsel and guidance which
is to be had from orthodox teachers, and then entrust to them the
examination and installation of the one called. Where it can be shown
that such guidance from orthodox teachings is not to be had, any
community, even if only two or three, may call in the name of the Lord.
But if such guidance is despised where it is to be had, this is separatistic
self-conceit and a sin against love.

b) That the one called possess certain qualities: chiefly integrity and
competence to instruct others according to the form of sound doctrine
and to rebuke those who contradict it. The degree of knowledge and
competence must be determined according to time, place and
circumstances, but even here a Christian community does not act out of
willful self-